Last-Minute Guide to Miami Dolphins' Free Agency
If you're a fan of the NFL offseason (and at this point, who isn't) then today is your Christmas Eve, as we're just one day away from the official start of NFL free agency.
For the Miami Dolphins, it looks like Christmas has come a couple of days early, but there is still plenty of work to be done for the Dolphins in terms of filling out some major holes on both sides of the ball while deciding on the fates of a few players currently on the roster.
The Dolphins have made their splash, but what more can be done? What more has to be done? We'll take a look at that today in our last-minute Dolphins guide to free agency.
Salary-Cap Space
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Per OverTheCap.com, the Miami Dolphins currently have $9,453,159 in cap space, but that number can easily be taken with a grain of salt.
That cap figure includes players who will be released, as well as Charles Clay's transition-tag number of $7,071,000, a number that could disappear off the books if Clay leaves or wind up being lower if he chooses to sign a long-term contract with the team.
It also doesn't include the possibilities of what will happen with wide receiver Mike Wallace.
In other words, to quote Matthew McConaughey and Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street, the number is a "fugazi."
Come Tuesday at 4 p.m., the real number will be established.
Philip Wheeler Gone, Dannell Ellerbe Next?
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One obvious thing the Dolphins had to do was retool their linebackers, and phase one is already out of the way.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Dolphins are releasing Philip Wheeler. However, his release has been designated as a post-June 1 release.
This effectively means that the Dolphins will save $3 million in cap space, but that money won't be available until June.
The Dolphins might also say goodbye to another linebacker, as Dannell Ellerbe is a candidate for release.
If Ellerbe is a non-June 1 cut, the Dolphins will save $5.65 million, whereas if he is released as a June 1 cut, the Dolphins will save $8.45 million.
Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that Ellerbe is on his way out; the questions are how and when it will happen.
Suh to Miami All but Official
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The Dolphins sure do know how to make the biggest splash in the offseason, and they managed to pull it off in 2015 before anything could become official.
On Sunday, it was reported by ESPN's Chris Mortensen that the Dolphins would sign former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a six-year deal worth $114 million, with $60 million guaranteed.
The guaranteed money will come in the first three years of the deal, as in the end it will average out to $19 million per year.
That's a lot of money to pay for a non-quarterback, but considering how the Dolphins defensive line struggled against the run in 2014, along with the fact that Suh is the best defensive tackle in the NFL, it is money well spent.
What will be interesting to watch is how Miami creates the 2015 cap room to sign Suh, which is a challenge that Dolphins cap specialist Dawn Aponte has met in the past with other big Dolphins free-agent signings.
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Bills Expected to Make Charles Clay a "Substantial Offer"
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Technically tight end Charles Clay is still a Miami Dolphin, one whose salary counts against the Dolphins' salary cap.
The reason for this is the Dolphins placed the transition tag on Clay (per Chris Wesseling of NFL.com) which—if Clay doesn't go elsewhere or renegotiate with the Dolphins—gives him a cap hit of $7,071,000.
It also gives the Dolphins the right to match any offer that comes Clay's way, provided it fits under the salary cap.
One team that might be interested in starting a Charles Clay bidding war is the Buffalo Bills, who Omar Kelly of The Sun-Sentinel reports is prepared to make Clay a "substantial offer."
If the Bills do make said offer (which as of now is undisclosed), the Dolphins will have seven days to match the offer; if they choose not to, Clay will be a Buffalo Bill.
The Dolphins will get back the cap space Clay is currently occupying if they choose not to match any offer on him, and if that happens, Dion Sims (who played well while Clay was injured in 2014) and Arthur Lynch will see elevated roles in Miami's offense.
Which Other Players Should Be on Miami's Board?
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With Suh in place on the defensive line and a good draft for middle linebackers coming up, the major area of focus for the Dolphins on defense—and in free agency—should be in the secondary.
The cornerback market in 2015 is a good one in free agency, but so far based on deals signed by Byron Maxwell, Brandon Flowers and Kareem Jackson, it will be an expensive market, too.
Acquiring 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver would be the dream scenario in my view for the Dolphins, as he'd add a toughness to the secondary that in 2014 seemed missing. He'd make a great complement to the more athletic Brent Grimes, while being young enough to eventually take Grimes' place as Miami's No. 1 corner.
Other corners that should be on Miami's list include Green Bay's Tramon Williams, Cleveland's Buster Skrine and New Orleans' Patrick Robinson.
The Dolphins have already inquired about Robinson, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, and have also inquired about Robert McClain of Atlanta and San Diego's Shareece Wright.
Salary-cap figures provided by OverTheClock.com unless otherwise noted.
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